RB Tyler Ervin having a good training camp so far with Texans

RB Tyler Ervin having a good training camp so far with Texans

Running back Tyler Ervin was part of the 24 players who finished on injured reserve for the Houston Texans last season, and he may have had one of the worst injuries sustained with a torn patellar tendon.

Now, the 2016 fourth-round running back from San Jose St. is seeing the fruits of his aggressive rehabilitation in the off-season.

“He’s had a good camp,” said coach Bill O’Brien. “He really rehabbed. He never missed a day. He’s a great guy, a very professional guy, cares about the team, and he really rehabbed every single day to get back to where he’s at. I give him a lot of credit and I’ve seen a lot of good plays out of him on special teams and on offense for us.”

Ervin’s utility for the Texans has been as a returner with 35 punt returns for 321 yards and 19 kickoff returns for 356 yards through 16 career games. However, relying on his return skills may not be the answer to making the 53-man roster this season as it is a hotly contested position with receivers Chris Johnson, Braxton Miller, and Keke Coutee all vying for that job to buttress their reasons to similarly make the roster.

If Ervin is to be a Texan this season, it may have to come in the running back stable. The 24-year-old has had 16 touches for 71 yards and three fumbles. There may be a chance to make the roster in that department with second-year running back D’Onta Foreman still on the physically unable to perform list and may start the season there. However, undrafted rookie Terry Swanson is aiming for that roster spot, too.

“I think, again, that running back battle is a really, really interesting competition and we’ll see how that goes in the games,” O’Brien said.

Ervin will get his chance in live action Thursday at the Kansas City Chiefs to make his case to be on the Texans roster. With Coutee missing the next few weeks due to a hamstring injury, Ervin may have a chance to remind the team of his return skills.

Email

Like this article?

Sign up for the Texans Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning

An error has occured

Please re-enter your email address.

Thanks for signing up!

You'll now receive the top Texans Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.